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NRA Lobbyist Works to Change Law He Broke

The powerful Illinois lobbyist for the National Rifle Association is helping rewrite a state law he broke.

Todd Vandermyde says he was only exercising his rights as a citizen. Vandermyde was ticketed by Illinois conservation police officers and fined $120 in December for having a loaded crossbow on an ATV on private land.

State Representative Kelly Cassidy — a Chicago Democrat who has clashed with Vandermyde over guns — says if she tried to change state law because of a ticket, “people would be screaming bloody murder.”

A bill allowing uncased crossbows while driving cleared the House and awaits Senate action. An initiative that curbs police officers’ ability to enter private land — sponsored by House Republican Leader Jim Durkin — awaits a House vote.